Chapter 8

That night, Leo stayed over, Minnow snuggled between his feet, Marie tucked against his chest. The morning was unfortunately short; they made breakfast together and chatted until Leo had to leave, claiming he had errands to run. She gave him a quick kiss goodbye, holding her tongue again.

She had no reason to distrust him. She knew that. He was genuinely kind and caring, not the mention that the sex was fabulous. He was experienced enough as a Dom that he didn't hurt her. Even Minnow liked him.

"Why am I tearing myself apart about this?" Marie asked herself.

She posed the same question to her mother when she called later that day.

"Oh, ma petite," Clemence said. "It's difficult to really know someone so quickly. But you have good instincts."

"I feel like I can't trust them. I've been wrong before."

"No, Marie, you haven't. You knew that Nate wasn't right – you said so."

Marie sighed. "But I didn't leave."

"And now you are frightened, hein? You would rather leave just in case and give up?"

"Maman-"

"I'm not saying he's celui pour tu, mais give him a chance. Not all men are going to ruin your life."

"Mm…peut être."

Marie wished that were enough to quell her anxieties. She still ended up stalking his social media in hopes that she would find something – anything – that would show her if he was being honest.

*Then again,* she admonished herself, *he works in IT. He probably knows how to cover-*

Her phone buzzed. A text from Leo.

*Is it weird to say that I miss you? Because I miss you.*

Marie's heart immediately melted. *Not at all. I miss you too.*

*We never de-briefed last night. Do you want to meet up later and talk?*

*I'd like that.*

Marie arrived at Leo's condo just before 3 o'clock. As the approached the door, a savory scent wafted from inside. Leo was even wearing an apron when he opened the door.

"Hello, lovely," he said.

"Hi." She rocked up on her toes to peck him on the cheek. "What are you making?"

"Brisket. My mom's recipe. It's not going to be ready for a bit, though… I forgot how long it takes to make." He ran his hand through his hair nervously.

"That's alright. It smells like it's worth waiting for!"

"If I don't burn it, it will be. Want a drink?"

Once they had settled on the couch with their beverages, Marie jumped straight in. "So, last night was really good."

"Glad to hear that. Anything you'd like to repeat in future scenes?"

"Honestly… all of it. The feather was unexpectedly fun."

"Good. Anything you didn't like?"

Marie thought. "I'm not sure I liked having my hands bound in front. I know we were going for minimal bondage, but I think if I'm going to be face-down, my hands should be behind me. What about you?"

"Nothing I can think of. I'll have to review other harnesses."

"I wanted to thank you for checking in with me during the scene. It was helpful."

Leo smiled. "Of course. I never want you to have to use your safeword. Obviously, use it if I misstep, but I would rather not put you in a place where you feel you need to."

*I hope it always stays that way,* Marie found herself thinking even as she smiled back.

"Is there anything you want me to do differently in the future?" she asked.

"If you want something, don't be afraid to ask for it." That was decidedly not the answer she expected. "You seemed so shocked when I went down on you. I want you to come, I want you to feel good. And if you want something, you don't need to wait to ask for it, okay?"

Marie flushed slightly. "Okay."

"Good." He kissed her little frown away. "I hear that the new season of Spirit Houses just dropped. You feeling like binging?"

Five episodes and one nearly-burned brisket later, it was thoroughly dark out. Marie was draped across Leo's lap, her head tucked under his chin. And she was definitely not squirming to perk up the growing chub in Leo's pants.

He gave her hip a playful little swat. "Naughty girl."

"Hm? What did I do?"

"Oh, being coy, huh?" He traced a ticklish finger up her thigh.

She turned her head so her mouth was against his Adam's apple. "I don't know what you're talking about, Sir."

"Do you know what happens to naughty girls?" With stylish flair, he flipped her over onto her stomach, lifting her skirt. "They get punished."

Marie smirked against the couch cushions, biting her lip as Leo pulled her panties down to her knees. For good measure, she wiggled around. Over the knee spanking was one of her favorite scenes.

"Count for me," he said.

The first smack was clearly a warm up - it sounded good, but there was no real pain.

"One."

A harder hit.

"Two."

A hit to the other cheek.

"Three."

By the time they reached ten, Marie could feel her flesh reddening. By fifteen, there was a tiny rivulet running down her thigh. Leo ran his fingertips through it.

"Someone's enjoying herself." Marie wriggled in response. "Impatient. I think that earned another five. Keep counting."

The following hits had Marie twisting uncontrollably with pleasure. After each strike, Leo would check her wetness, teasing her clit, and the next spank would leave a little damp spot on her ass.

"Twenty," Marie panted.

"Good girl." Leo soothed the skin. "You take your punishment so well. I think that deserves a little reward."

That was the only warning she got before two fingers delved deep in her pussy. She gave a full-body shudder and moaned. Deft fingers pulsed in and out, his thumb against her clit as he mercilessly rushed her toward orgasm.

"Monsieur, est-ce que j'peux jouir? S'il vous plait-"

"Come for me."

The nearly whispered command was all it took to send Marie barreling over the edge. She was still trembling when Leo patted her behind with a damp hand.

"Good girl," he repeated.

But she wasn't done being a good girl. Marie slid off his lap and settled between his knees, eyes asking permission as her hands crept toward his fly.

"*Very* good girl," he corrected.

She undid the row of buttons on his jeans and carefully slid them over his hips, leaving his briefs behind. Licking her lips once, she mouthed at the bulge. It twitched excitedly in response.

"Condom," Leo groaned when she began to pull down his waistband.

"I don't need one," she replied.

"You sure?"

Marie lifted an eyebrow, refusing to break eye contact as she swallowed him down. Leo's head lolled back. Marie was certainly no deep throating expert, but she knew how to read a man's body language. Leo liked extra pressure over the thickest part of his shaft and the head was nicely sensitive. He even liked a tiny graze of teeth if the hitch in his breathing was any indicator.

Marie took the briefest of moments to undo her shirt and pull it off along with her bra. She worked him hard, following the bucking of his hips to find the right rhythm. A stuttered warning was followed by a hearty gush that coated her chest.

Panting, Leo stroked her face. "Oh, wow."

Marie just giggled. She stood and gave him a little kiss before making her way to the bathroom to rinse off her chest. He watched her go with a goofy smile. When she came back, he handed her her discarded clothes.

"Are you a swallower?" he asked.

"Not so much. I never cared for the flavor. Or the texture."

"Noted." He kissed her deeply. "You really are incredible, you know that?"

"What makes you say that?"

"I've never been able to play casually. Everything was always scheduled, planned. I like this dynamic."

Marie smiled. "Me too."

They both jumped when Leo's phone buzzed. He dug in his pocket and pulled out the offending item. Groaning, he excused himself.

"Hi, Alex. Well, yeah but- It's Sunday! It can't wait until tomorrow? Oh, man. Okay. I'll be there in a few minutes. Bye." He turned to Marie, looking guilty. "I'm so sorry. The system at work is imploding and they need my help."

*Oh, really?* Marie thought. "It's fine. I'll get my things and you can go."

"Hey, hey, come here." He swung her into his arms, cradling her face. "I'll make it up to you. I promise. I'm really sorry."

"It's fine. Really," Marie replied. "You need to go be a tech wizard."

Leo peppered her face with kisses until she couldn't help but laugh.

"That's better," he declared. "I'll see you tomorrow?